Two Siblings Treated For Smoke Inhalation After Raleigh Fire
An early morning fire in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Wednesday sent a child and their infant sibling to the hospital.
Hospital Care
Fires in Surgery a Danger to Patients
I had heard about fires that break out during surgical procedures, but I thought that they were exceedingly rare. But according to a notification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), every year about 650 patients are injured by surgical fires. In some cases, the injuries are life threatening. In addition, more fires start …
Doctors and Nurses Can Transmit Deadly Bacteria
Hospitals are filled with all different kinds of bacteria. As doctors and nurses move from patient to patient, the conscientious ones wash their hands before examining each new patient. That simple act of using soap and water is the single best way to prevent the transmission of bacteria from one very sick person to another. …
Staying Safer After Carotid Stenting
Results of a study just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggest guidelines for patients that could help keep them safer after carotid stenting. In fact, this advice might even save lives. A stent is a tiny tube that acts to keep an artery open, allowing blood to flow properly. Stents …
Contaminated Alcohol Prep Pads Blamed for Child's Brain Damage
Three years ago, a family was blessed with a set of twin boys. One of the twins had difficulty from the moment they were born, suffering from respiratory distress and needing umbilical artery and vein catheters. At some point in his care, the boy was exposed to the deadly Bacillus cereus bacteria from contaminated alcohol prep pads, a lawsuit now claims.
Tainted Wipes Linked To Brain Damage, Deaths
Before every injections…before every catheter insertion…before anytime the skin needs to be punctured, the first step is to wipe the skin with an alcohol prep pad. Those are the little packets of rubbing alcohol-soaked gauze that are ever-present in hospitals and doctors’ offices. The alcohol pads sterilize the skin so that an injection is as …
Are Your Medical Records Safe?
Who has been looking at your medical records? According to an article in the News & Observer, you’ll soon be able to find out. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), medical records are supposed to be private and protected. Every time you go to see a new physician, you will be asked to …
$7 Million Awarded To Family Of Botched Surgery Patient
The Winston-Salem Journal recently reported the woman went in for the procedure and was released the next day, despite complaining of pain and having an elevated white blood cell count, a sign of inflammation and infection.
Avandia Drug Pulled from Shelves
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed restrictions on medications containing the diabetes drug Rosiglitazone, trade name Avandia.
Be On Guard for Medication-Related Injuries
Yesterday’s online edition of The New York Times reported on the frightening rise of medication-related injuries. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of people treated in hospitals for medication errors rocketed up by 50%, from 1.2 million to 1.9 million individuals. People were hospitalized because of worrisome side effects after taking the medication as prescribed, …